Electrical swivel connector



E. G. SUKUP ELECTRICAL SWIVEL CONNECTOR Dec. 22, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 8, 1968 06N 6 Sum/p Dec. 22, 1970 SUKUp ELECTRICAL SWIVELCONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 73 Filed Jan. e,' 1968 p y m I NW P fwm wa r E4 MW 0 [V 7 United States Patent 3,550,061 ELECTRICAL SWIVEL CONNECTOREugene G. Sukup, Sheffield, Iowa 50475 Filed Jan. 8, 1968, Ser. No.696,359 Int. Cl. H01r 39/14 US. Cl. 3398 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE This invention relates to an improved swivel connectorelectrically connecting a revolving object to an electric source, theconnector having a tubular core enclosing insulated wires connected tothe electric source the tube having a slot extending substantially thelength thereof to permit exiting of the wires enclosed within the tubeto facilitate attachment of the wires to conductor rings which are thenfrictionally mounted upon the tube, the rings engaging spring contactselectrically connected to the revolving object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this art includes all types ofdevices for connecting an object capable of rotational motion to anelectrical source.

Several arrangements are known to connect a revolving object to anelectrical source. One known arrangement involves a plurality of bandswith pins projecting therefrom wrapped around a cable leading from anelectrical source and terminating within a cavity in the power source.The pins project through the cable and the insulation of the individualwires therein and thereby connect each wire of the cable. A swivel pinis then inserted longitudinally into the cable and connected to a framewithin the power source wherein contacts engage the rings and relayelectricity from the cable. The disadvantage of this arrangement is thatit is not sufficiently durable to withstand constant and continuedusage, nor is it advantageous when heavy cable is being used.

Other arrangements, such as that shown in US. Pat. No. 2,123,103 providefor a power source capable of rotation to be swivelly connected to anelectrical source. The disadvantage of this particular arrangement isthat the power source must remain stationary upon the swivel core. Itmay not radiate back and forth from the longitudinal axis of the coreabout which it rotates.

SUMMARY OF THE [INVENTION This invention relates to an improved electricswivel connector having a tube core about which conductor rings arefrictionally mounted, the rings being connected to electric wiresenclosed within the tube core and connected to a power source, springcontacts engaging the rings and electrically connected to an objectcapable of rotation about the longitudinal axis of the core, thussupplying the object with electricity without binding or eventuallybreaking the wires. The tube core, by its slotted shape, facilitatesexiting of heavy wire from within the core and permits quick and easyassemblage on a job site.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electric swivelconnector.

It is another object of this invention to provide an electric swivelconnector which is adaptable for use with heavy or cabled wire.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a device ashereinbefore defined which adaptable for connecting either one circuitor a plurality of circuits within the same device.

It is still another object of this invention to provide "ice a device ashereinbefore defined which may be easily assembled or modified at thesite of installation.

'It is another object of this invention to provide a device ashereinbefore defined which is sufficiently rugged to withstand constantand continued use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device ashereinbefore defined which is capable of withstanding all climaticconditions.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a device ashereinbefore defined which is adaptable for use with heavy electricalcable.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a device ashereinbefore described which is simple, efficient, and economical.

These objects and other features and advantages of this invention willbecome readily apparent upon reference to the following description,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thedevice of this invention shown in assembled relation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of this invention showing thehousing split away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along the line 3-3 of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along the line 44 of FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along the line 5-5 of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view showing the unassem'bled core ofthis invention and the individual parts thereof in relation to eachother.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,the swivel connector device of this invention is indicated generally at10 in FIG. 1.

Generally, the connector device 10 comprises a core 11 (FIG. 2), aplurality of conductor rings 12 disposed about the core 11, andelectrically connected by a plurality of wires 13 enclosed within thecore 11 to an electrical source (not shown), a housing 14 disposed androtatable about the core 11, and a plurality of spring contactconductors 16 disposed in the housing 14 and engaging the conductorrings 12 therein, the contact conductors 16 being electrically connectedto a power source (not shown) by an electric cable 17 (FIG. 1).

More specifically, the core 11 is comprised of an elongated cylindricaltube 18 (FIG. 6) of rigid insulant material such as plastic. The tube 18is threaded at both ends 19 and 21. A slot 22 extends substantially thelength of the core through one end 21 thereof, and parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the core 18. The purpose of the slot 22 is topermit passage of the wires 13 (FIG. 2) from within the tube 18 toconnect the conductor rings 12 and to facilitate mounting of the rings12 about the tube 18.

The unslotted end 19 of the tube 18 (FIGS. 4 and 6) is securely fastenedto an open end threaded extension 23 comparable to a standard reducer.The threaded exterior portion 24 of the extension 23 serves to attachthe core 11 to the rigid conduit pipe 26 disposed about the wires 13emanating from the electrical source (not shown), while the open end 25of the extension 23 permits the wires 13 to enter the core 11. Prior tosecuring the extension 23 to the conduit 26, the threaded portion 24 mayfirst traverse a bracket support (not shown) to add lateral support tothe device 10.

The wires 13 are pulled through the tube 18 to extend beyond the end 21of the tube 18 and drawn out through the slot 22 to facilitate theattachment, as by soldering, of the conductor rings 12 to the strippedends 34 of the wires 13. Each wire 13 is attached to a separate ring 12,and the number of rings 12 used is determined by the number of circuitsdesired connected by the device 10. Each conductor ring 12 is of a thinmetallic conductive material having an inner diameter substantially thesame as the outer diameter of the tube 18. Once the conductor rings 12are united with the wires 13, the core 11 is ready to be assembled.

A bushing 27 (FIG. 6) having an inner diameter substantially that of theoutside diameter of the tube 18 is slid upon the tube 18 from theslotted end 21 to a position adjacent the extension 23. The bushing 27is of a thin hard substance upon which the housing 14 rotates to retardwear upon the softer material comprising the tube 18. For purposes ofeconomy, it may be the same size and of the same material as theconductor rings 12.

After positioning of the bushing 27, a spacer ring 28 having the sameinner diameter as the bushing 27 is slid upon the tube 18 to a positionadjacent the bushing 27. The spacer ring 28 is of a rigid insulantmaterial having a larger outer diameter than does either the bushing 27or the conductor rings and its dual purpose is to center the conductorrings 12 within the confines of the housing 14 and to retard the rings12 from contact with the housing 14. The length of the spacers 28 isdependent upon the number of circuits connected by the device, forexample, a single circuit would call for a long spacer 28 or a multipleof shorter spacers 28 whereas a plurality of circuits to be connectedwould necessitate more conductor rings 12 and shorter spacers 28.

A connected conductor ring 12 is then slid over the tube 18 with thewire connection 34 being first centered in the tube slot 22. As theconductor band 12 is slid toward the spacer 28, the wire 13 is pushedback up through the tube 18, extension 23 and conduit 26 so that theband 12 is positioned adjacent to the spacer 28.

An insulating ring 29 comparable to the spacer 28 in every respect butbeing shorter is then added to the tube 18 in the manner hereinbeforedescribed.

Another conductor ring 12 is then added, followed by an insulating ring29 and this procedure is followed until all of the conductor rings 12are added, then a spacer ring 31 and bushing 32 identical to the bushing27 and spacer 28 previously described are stacked upon the tube 18. Therings 12, 27-32 are then secured into position by a cap 33.

The cap 33 is of a rigid non-corrosive material and is threaded 34 forattachment to the tube 18. A hole 36 is bored through the closed end 37of the cap 33 to facilitate the drainage of any fluid which may collectwithin the tube 18.

An oblong, box-shaped housing 14 (FIG. 1) rotates about the longitudinalaxis of the core 11 on the bushings 27 and 32.

The housing 14 (FIG. 2) is comprised of two halves 38 and 39, each half38 and 39 being flanged 41 about its entire perimeter, the flange 41giving the housing 14 a rectangular shape.

Semi-circular grooves 42 and 43 are molded into the center of thenarrower sides '44 and 46 of each half 38 and 39 of the housing 14. Theradius of the grooves 42 and 43 is substantially the same as the outerradius of the bushings 27 and 32 so that when the halves 38 and 39 arejoined, the grooves 42 and 43 form a circular hub about the bushings 2.7and 32 to enable the housing 14 to rotate. The housing grooves 42 and 43(FIG. 4) set within the core grooves 27 and 32 formed by the largerdiameter of the rings 28 and 31, extension 23, and cap 33 adjacent tothe smaller diameter bushings 27 and 32. The overlapping of theextension 23 above the groove 42 reduces the opportunity of Water toenter the housing 14.

One half 39 of the housing 14 serves to secure an in- 4 sulated flat,rectangular plate 47 within the housing 14. The plate 46 is removed fromthe wall 48 of the housing half 39 by appropriate blocks 49 (FIG. 3)attached to the wall 48. The blocks 49 also serve as a base for thescrews 51 securing the plate 47.

Attached to the top 52 of the plate 47 (FIG. 3) is a plurality ofcontact conductors 16 comprised of band springs 53 biased toward theconductor rings 12 secured to the core 11 traversing the longitudinalaxis of the housing '14. The end 54 of the spring 53 away from the plate47 is attached to a metal disk 56 which engages the conductor rings 12.

The contact conductors 16 are connected to a plurality of wires 57 atthe bottom side 58 of the plate 47. The wires 57 emanate from a cable 17entering the housing 14 through a hole 61 (FIG. 2) bored toward one sideof the wall 48 of the housing 14 attaching the plate 47. The cable 17 isanchored to the wall 48 by an electrical clamp 62 attached thereto.

When the two halves 38 and 3 9 are joined together by a plurality ofnuts 63 and bolts 64 (FIG. 2), inserted through holes 66 bored into thecorners 67 of the flanges 41 of the halves 38 and 39, the connectedcircuits are open to connect the rotating power source (not shown) bymeans of the cable '17 to an electrical source (not shown) by means ofthe wires 13. A sealant (not shown) spread on the flanges 41 beforejoining the halves 38 and 39 seals the housing 14 to ice, rain, or snow.

I claim:

1. An electrical swivel conector comprising:

a plastic, elongated tube of constant diameter having a slot formedlongitudinally therein from one end of said tube, said slot terminatingshort of the other end of said tube;

a tubular extension threadably secured to said tube other end;

a bushing embracing said tube and adjacent said extension;

a spacer ring embracing said tube and adjacent said bushing;

a plurality of conductor rings and insulating rings arranged in analternate side-by-side relationship about said tube adjacent said spacerring;

a plurality of insuated wires each connected to a conductor ring, andextended through said slot and exiting out said other end;

another spacer ring embracing said tube adjacent an outer one of saidconductor rings;

another bushing embracing said tube adjacent said another spacer ring;

a closed end cap threaded onto said tube one end;

contact means engaging said conductor rings and electrically connectedto another plurality of insulated wires; and

housing means including a pair of halves clamped together and intorotatable frictional engagement with said bushings, said housing meansenclosing said conductor rings, insulating rings, and contact means;

all of said bushings, spacer rings, conductor rings, and

insulating rings having identical inner diameters.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,697,287 l/l929 Pieper et al.317102 1,711,858 5/1929 Samminiatelli 3395 1,837,723 12/1931 McGraW 339183X 2,291,070 7/1942 Bruno 339-8X 3,218,595 11/1965 Motsinger 33952,523,081 9/1950 Wendt 3 39-5 2,530,891 11/1950 Marttke 339-5 FOREIGNPATENTS 75,590 9/1946 Czechoslovakia 339-5(M) RICHARD E. MOORE, PrimaryExaminer

